Inflatable separating region for a vehicle interior

ABSTRACT

An inflatable separating region for a vehicle interior, in particular for a passenger cabin of an aircraft, includes a supporting structure with interconnected inflatable tubes made of a flexible material and arranged, in an inflated state, to form a self-supporting frame structure for the separating region; and a covering with flexible wall membranes which connect the inflatable tubes to one another in a planar manner to separate off the separating region in the inflated state from the vehicle interior.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to European Patent Application No.21183563.2 filed Jul. 2, 2021, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure herein relates to an inflatable separating region for avehicle interior, in particular for a passenger cabin of an aircraft.

BACKGROUND

In aircraft design and aircraft manufacturing, there are continuouslyendeavours to improve the efficiency and cost of production, the outlayon installation and the installation time and also the durability and toreduce the overall weight while keeping the component performance thesame or improving it, with a particular focus always being placed onpassenger comfort and safety. In recent years, there have beenoccasional attempts in the aviation industry to use inflatablestructures as weight-saving solutions for the interior region andexterior region of aircraft. Inflatable components are alreadywidespread in other spheres of technology, for example in the leisureindustry and in the camping sphere where they comprise, inter alia,inflatable tents, sitting and/or reclining devices, floatable devicesand so forth. However, in order to be able to use such structures in thesphere of aviation, additional challenges have to be overcome. Amongother things, relatively large differences in pressure have to beresisted. Preferred materials are durable and long-lasting and meet allthe safety requirements, for example in respect of inflammability. Inaddition, it would be desirable to design the geometry of the inflatabledevices so as to be as stable as possible in the inflated state.

As an example of such an inflatable device, the document EP 3272643 A1describes an inflatable partition for an aircraft, which partition canbe installed in a passenger cabin in order to divide the space intodifferent sections or regions.

As a further example, the documents EP 2139764 B1 and EP 2554477 B1describe a bunk with plate-like air chambers which form aself-supporting wall structure with side walls and a ceiling, whereinthe air chambers are surrounded by flexible planar material and, intheir interior, have flexible webs for stabilizing an external shape.The bunk has a base shell with upright wall attachments onto which thewall structure can subsequently be placed.

Furthermore, the U.S. Pat. No. 10,888,479 B1 describes a biosafety cabinfor protecting the occupants of a vehicle against pathogens. Thebiosafety cabin comprises a rigid or flexible protective coveringelement made from a durable and optionally fireproof material, forexample glass, Plexiglas or plastic, which forms a three-dimensionalstructure which is installed in the interior of the vehicle and whichisolates one or more occupants of the biosafety cabin from otheroccupants of the vehicle. A multiplicity of connecting elements areattached to the protective covering element and are used to fasten theprotective covering element in the interior of the vehicle. Furthermore,the protective covering element comprises air circulation openings forconnecting to an air filter device, and an entry/exit element forentering or leaving the biosafety cabin through the protective coveringelement, wherein the entry/exit element can have a zip fastener, a touchand close fastener or another suitable closure system.

SUMMARY

Against this background, the disclosure herein is based on an object offinding improved weight-saving solutions for separating off delimitedcabin regions of aircrafts, which solutions can be installed and removedas simply and as rapidly as possible, even during operation.

According to the disclosure herein, this object is achieved by aninflatable separating region and by an aircraft disclosed herein.

Accordingly, an inflatable separating region for a vehicle interior, inparticular for a passenger cabin of an aircraft, comprises a supportingstructure which has a plurality of interconnected inflatable tubes madeof a flexible material and being arranged and designed so as, in aninflated state, to form a self-supporting frame structure for theseparating region; and a covering which comprises a plurality offlexible wall membranes which connect the inflatable tubes to oneanother in a planar manner and are designed to separate off theseparating region in the inflated state from the vehicle interior.

Furthermore, an aircraft comprises an inflatable separating regionaccording to the disclosure herein.

A concept on which the disclosure herein is based involves providing aregion for a vehicle interior that can be installed and removed rapidlyand simply by inflatable flexible tubes and supporting structures beingcombined with thin flexible wall membranes which separate an interior ofthe separating region from the vehicle interior. The tubes serve here toa certain extent as a supporting or carrying framework/skeletoncomparable to the poles of a tent and at the same time define anexternal contour of the region to be separated off. The wall membranesensure that the interior created in this manner is actually separatedoff from the vehicle interior, in particular in the horizontaldirection.

For the installation, the tubes can be provided with one or more valvesvia which the system can be pumped up at a suitable position with an airpump, a bellows, a gas cartridge and/or a compressor. In principle, usecan also be made for this purpose of systems which are already presenton board the vehicle and which can quickly provide compressed air, forexample an air preparation system and/or a compressor system of anaircraft. As soon as the tubes are sufficiently inflated, they spreadout the wall membranes which are located in between and which then formthe walls of the separating region. Special further tools or aids arenot absolutely required for the installation. The specific erectionposition can also be quickly selectable in a particularly flexiblemanner here depending on the internal configuration of the vehicleinterior.

The separating cabin or separating cell created in such a manner can beused within the vehicle interior for a wide variety of purposes, withthe special construction permitting the system to be installed and/orremoved very quickly even during operation of the vehicle. For as longas the separating region is not being used, it can be stowed folded upin a space-saving manner. Use is made here of the fact that the systemcan be constructed in a particularly weight-saving manner by suitablethin materials being used for the flexible material of the tubes andwall membranes and at the same time being able to comply withappropriate safety requirements in respect of inflammability,durability, tearing strength, environmental compatibility, etc. Thesystem can also be used repeatedly depending on requirements.

For example, the separating region can be constructed on board anaircraft which is already in the air, in order to isolate one or morepassengers from the remaining passengers, for example in the event of amedical emergency, a highly contagious infection or the like. However,it goes without saying that an inflatable separating region within themeaning of the disclosure herein can be used not only as a protectivemeasure for medical or infectious applications. Furthermore, thedisclosure herein can be used to quickly, but also permanently, createrest areas in a passenger cabin, either for passengers or for the crew.Depending on the specific application, the wall membranes of thecovering can be transparent or more or less opaque.

Advantageous refinements and developments emerge from the descriptionwith reference to the figures.

According to one development, the separating region in the inflatedstate is open upwards and/or downwards.

For example, the separating region can be surrounded only on allhorizontal sides by the wall membranes and can sit on a floor of thevehicle interior. A remaining opening upwards can be used, for example,for supplying air. Provision may also be made for the separating regionto end upwards and downwards in a precisely fitting manner with a floorand a ceiling of the vehicle interior.

In principle, it is also conceivable for the separating region not to beclosed on all horizontal sides, but rather merely on these sides to havewall membranes which are oriented into the vehicle interior and are notalready in any case bounded by inner walls of the vehicle interior. Inother words, provision may be made in certain applications to use one ormore inner walls of the vehicle cabin as outer walls of the separatingregion. In this case, it could be possible, for example, for an outerwall of the vehicle not to be covered by the wall membranes and thelatter could be provided merely on the aisle side and forwards andrearwards.

According to one development, the supporting structure and the coveringcan be designed to close off the separating region upwards and/ordownwards at least in some regions in a precisely fitting manner withthe vehicle interior.

The separating region can therefore sit all the way around on the floorof the vehicle interior and can butt against a ceiling without an (atleast edge-side) opening remaining towards the vehicle interior. In thiscase, air can be supplied to the separating region, for example, via airslots or the like which are arranged at the top and bottom (inprinciple, however, also laterally) and are embedded in the wallmembranes. The air can be introduced via air outlets in the vehicleinterior ceiling located above the separating region and can be let outagain via corresponding air vents in the floor of the vehicle interior.Alternatively, provision may be made for the separating region not to becompletely closed off upwards and/or downwards through the vehicleinterior, but rather for ventilation slots to remain via which theseparating region remains connected air-permeably to the vehicleinterior. Furthermore, as an alternative or in addition, ventilationelements can be integrated in the supporting structure and/or thecovering of the separating region.

According to one development, at least three of the tubes can bedesigned as substantially vertically running struts. Further tubes canserve as transverse connections of the struts.

For example, the separating region can have a rectangular basic outline,with four substantially vertically running tubes forming outer edges ofthe separating region and the tubes being held together at an upper endby four transversely running tubes. However, it goes without saying thatmore complex outer geometries and/or tube arrangements are alsopossible.

According to one development, three vertically running tubes as outeredges of the separating region can be connected at an upper end at threecorners of a rectangle formed by four transversely running tubes.

In this development, use is made of the finding that, in principle,three outer struts can provide sufficient stability or sturdiness for aseparating region if they are held together at an upper end bycorresponding transverse connections. The fourth edge of the structurethat is open or kept free as a result can be used, for example, as anexit or entry region, and therefore more movement clearance can remainthan if a fourth vertically running strut were provided. This can beparticularly advantageous, for example in the event of emergencies, sothat it is possible to leave the separating region as simply and easilyas possible.

The sturdiness of this arrangement which is reminiscent of a tripod canbe further improved by, for example, a fastening element being providedat an upper end, in particular in the region of the “open edge”, atwhich there is no vertically running tube, and is fixed there, forexample, to a wall and/or ceiling of the vehicle interior.

According to one development, at least a portion of the tubes can bekinked and/or curved for adaptation to an inner contour of the vehicleinterior.

The outer contour of the separating region that is defined by the tubescan therefore fit more or less precisely against an inner contour of thevehicle interior. Thus, on the one hand, the available space can beoptimally used. On the other hand, the separating region can thus besupported and stabilized in a particularly advantageous manner by innerwalls or other structures of the vehicle interior such that theseparating region remains as far as possible in a desired position evenin the event of jerky movements of the vehicle.

According to one development, the tubes can form a jointly inflatablevolume.

The supporting structure of the separating region can therefore be setunder pressure, optionally via an individual valve, e.g. comparably toan air mattress in which a plurality of interconnected air chambers canbe filled with air via an individual valve.

According to one development, the wall membranes can be transparentand/or translucent at least in regions.

For example, a transparent wall membrane in a medical application canenable a patient or passenger to be able to be observed medically fromoutside the separating region. On the other hand, in the event of use ofthe separating region as a rest region or bunk, it may be totallyundesirable for the separating region to be seen into. In this case,opaque wall membranes would therefore be chosen.

A further advantage afforded here is that the separating region ifsufficiently transparent can remain closed during landing. By contrast,the opaque curtains typically used in aircraft always have to be opened.The present system can be designed, by contrast, to be seen into becauseof the use of transparent material. The air-filled elements to notconstitute a risk of injury. Added to this is a simple construction andoptionally rapid opening possibilities, for example by a zip fastenerwhich is easy to open.

According to one development, the wall membranes can each have aflame-retarding thermoplastic film.

For example, use can be made of extruded films made from differentpolymer compositions that are suitable for thermoplastic processing andthat provide corresponding mechanical properties (e.g. strength,abrasion resistance, flexibility), chemical properties (e.g.fire-retarding or fireproof, chemical resistance) and/or biologicalproperties (e.g. environmental compatibility, suitability for medicalapplications). In one specific example, a polyurethane film made frompolyester or polyether can satisfy such properties.

According to one development, the wall membranes and the tubes can bemanufactured from the same flexible material.

The separating region can therefore be manufactured in particularcompletely from one certain suitable material to a certain extent “enbloc”, with a uniform appearance being provided in which the supportingstructure and the covering have the same advantageous properties.Furthermore, the wall membranes can be welded, adhesively bonded and/orsewn to the tubes. For example, in a medical application, the tubes andthe wall membranes can be composed of the same transparent orsemi-transparent material.

According to one development, at least one of the wall membranes can bedesigned with a reclosable passage opening to allow people to enter andleave the separating region.

The passage can be used, for example, by medical personnel in order toexamine a patient. Such a passage can also be provided as an emergencyexit.

According to one development, the passage opening can be reclosable viaa zip fastener.

Zip fasteners, in particular certain safety zip fasteners, as optionallyreusable safety opening systems can ensure a rapid and controlledopening of emergency exit openings. To protect against heat and flames,for example, zip fastener elements made from flame-retarding polyamidecan be combined with a strip of aramid fibres.

However, it goes without saying that, depending on use, use may also inprinciple be made of other closing systems, for example a touch andclose fastener, press studs, magnets, etc.

According to one development, the separating device can then furthermorehave a pressure control device which is designed to control an internalpressure of the tubes.

For example, the pressure control device can comprise a display which iscoupled to a pressure sensor and which displays a current internalpressure of the tubes such that it can be checked at any time whetherthe internal pressure lies within a suitable pressure range or has acertain value. Furthermore, the pressure control device can have a valvevia which the internal pressure of the tubes can be adjusted or whichpredefines a certain desired internal pressure.

Accordingly, the pressure control device can be used, inter alia, tosuitably set the pressure once during the erection of the separatingdevice. In principle, it can then be readjusted during further operationif a relevant change in pressure, for example a drop in pressure, in thetubes is displayed.

If, for example, the separating device of the disclosure herein isconstructed in the air during the flight of an aircraft, it can beensured by the crew that the internal pressure of the tubes issufficiently dimensioned in order to ensure sturdiness of the separatingdevice even in relation to the changes in pressure in the vehicleinterior that may be anticipated during the further course of theoperation. For example, the separating device may be required to remainin place until landing. For this purpose, the internal pressure of thetubes can be set by the crew (once) in a specific manner with a positivepressure directly during the installation or construction of theseparating device such that the separating device remains stably inplace even after landing and the associated increase in pressure in thecabin. If necessary, however, the current pressure can be controlled andoptionally adjusted at any time during operation with the aid of thepressure control device.

In principle, the pressure control device can furthermore also bedesigned for (optionally automatically) regulating the internal pressureof the tubes. However, in simple refinements of the disclosure herein,the pressure can also be readjusted, for example, manually by the crew,and the pressure control device can serve merely to display the currentinternal pressure.

According to one development, the supporting structure and the coveringcan be designed so as, in the inflated state, to surround at least oneseat of the vehicle interior.

In this case, a seat of a row of seats in a vehicle together with thepassenger sitting thereon can therefore be isolated from the vehicleinterior. For example, a window seat in a row of two or three seats inan aircraft can be separated off. Similarly, a plurality or all of theseats of a row of seats can be separated from the vehicle interior andfrom the rows of seats located in front of or behind it.

According to one development, at least one of the wall membranes can bedesigned with feedthroughs for elements of adjacent seat structures ofthe vehicle interior.

The individual seats in a row of seats of an aircraft are frequentlyconnected fixedly to one another, for example at a seat frame, arm restand/or seat surface. So that the separating region can also be installedretrospectively around one or more passenger seats, one or morefeedthroughs can therefore be provided in the wall membranes. Forexample, the wall membranes can also be suitably slotted such that eachwall membrane can be placed around the corresponding structure of theseat. Suitable closure systems, such as touch and close fasteners, pressstuds or zip fasteners, can then be used to close remaining gaps orchinks between the wall membrane or wall membranes and the seatstructure.

According to one development, the separating region can furthermore haveat least one fastening element for fixing the position of the separatingregion in the vehicle interior.

In particular, the fastening element can be a suction cup and/or a hookor a similar suitable aid.

Even though the supporting structure can in principle sufficientlystabilize or support the separating region, it may be additionally ofadvantage if the separating region can furthermore be fixed, forexample, to a wall and/or a ceiling of the vehicle interior via one ormore elements. This can afford advantages, for example, from a safetyaspect, e.g. in the event of unpredicted jerky movements of the vehicle,so that the positioning and orientation of the separating region ismaintained at all times.

In this connection, suction cups are an example and advantageouspossibility which permits fixing to virtually any surfaces and which canbe removed again without leaving traces behind. It goes without sayingthat, alternatively or additionally, use can also be made of otherfastening elements, e.g. hooks, strips, loops, adhesive holders, etc.For example, the system could be fastened to a luggage compartment via ahook-type handrail.

The above refinements and developments can, if expedient, be combinedwith one another as desired. Further possible refinements, developmentsand implementations of the disclosure herein also comprise combinationsnot mentioned explicitly of features of the disclosure herein describedpreviously or below with respect to the example embodiments. Inparticular, a person skilled in the art will also add individual aspectsas improvements or additions to the respective basic form of thedisclosure herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure herein will be explained in more detail below withreference to the example embodiments indicated in the schematic figures,in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an inflatable separatingregion according to an embodiment of the disclosure herein;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the separating region fromFIG. 1 obliquely from the outside;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the separating region fromFIG. 1 obliquely from the inside;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of an inflatable separatingregion according to a further embodiment of the disclosure herein;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the separating region fromFIG. 4 obliquely from the outside;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the separating region fromFIG. 4 obliquely from the inside; and

FIG. 7 shows a schematic top view of a passenger cabin of an aircraftwith a separating region according to FIG. 1 or 4 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The attached figures are intended to impart further understanding of theembodiments of the disclosure herein. They illustrate embodiments andserve in conjunction with the description to explain principles andconcepts of the disclosure herein. Other embodiments and many of theadvantages mentioned are apparent with respect to the drawings. Theelements of the drawings are not necessarily shown true to scale withrespect to one another.

In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical andidentically acting elements, features and components are each providedwith the same reference signs—unless stated otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an inflatable separatingregion 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure herein, whichserves to separate off a limited region in a vehicle interior 101. FIGS.2 and 3 show schematic perspective views of the separating region fromFIG. 1 obliquely from the outside and obliquely from the inside,respectively. The inflatable separating region 10 can be used, forexample, in a passenger cabin of an aircraft 100, as can be seen by wayof example in FIG. 7 . In the embodiment shown, the separating region 10serves as an isolating cabin or isolating cell for enclosing symptomaticcases, e.g. for isolating a person for the remaining flight time inorder to protect the further passengers. For example, the separatingregion 10 can be used if there is the suspicion that a passenger has ahighly contagious illness or the latter has already been verified.

Various approaches are used in practice to minimize the risk ofspreading pathogens by people displaying the symptoms of a contagiousdisease. A number of customary approaches for preventing the propagationof pathogens comprise ensuring spatial distances between people,reducing contact possibilities and using personal protective equipment,for example respiratory masks. For example, IATA, like otherorganizations, recommends, if a contagious disease is suspected during aflight, maintaining a distance of two metres between ill passengers andother passengers. These recommendations mean that a considerable portionof seats can no longer be used.

An aim of the separating region 10 described below is to provide aphysical barrier for one or more possibly infectious people, whichbarrier can be constructed rapidly and simply even during the flight anddoes not involve any weight disadvantages. The separating region 10 hereis in particular not limited to a fixedly predefined position in thevehicle interior 101, but rather can basically be erected at differentlocations. The separating region 10 can be used multiple times and, forthis purpose, should be disinfected where necessary.

In the example embodiment of FIG. 7 , the separating region 10 separatestwo seats 102 of the last row of seats on the right aisle side from thesanitary facilities. A potentially infectious passenger 103 is sittingon the window seat within the separating region 10. FIG. 1 shows thesituation in a sectional view from the rear with respect to alongitudinal extent of the aircraft 100.

The separating region 10 comprises a supporting structure 1 which has aplurality of interconnected inflatable tubes 2 a, 2 b made from aflexible material which are arranged and designed so as, in an inflatedstate, to form a self-supporting frame structure for the separatingregion 10. As can be gathered from FIGS. 1 to 3 , in this embodiment,specifically three substantially vertically running tubes 2 a areprovided which stand on a floor of the aircraft 100 and form a type oftripod. They are held together at an upper end by a ring or square madefrom four transversely running tubes 2 b.

The tubes 2 a, 2 b form a common volume which can be filled with air viaa suitably attached valve by a hand pump, a small compressor and/or acompressed air source installed on board the aircraft 100. Theseparating device 10 furthermore comprises a pressure control device 13which can be used for controlling and/or adjusting an internal pressureof the tubes 2 a, 2 b. For this purpose, the pressure control device 13can comprise, for example, a pressure sensor and a pressure display.Furthermore, the abovementioned valve can be integrated in the pressurecontrol device 13.

By the pressurization, the tubes 2 a, 2 b are stiffened and thereby forma type of self-supporting framework or skeleton which predefines anouter contour of the separating region 10 and imparts stability andsturdiness to the latter. The internal pressure of the tubes 2 a, 2 bcan be set once here, as the separating device 10 is being erected, suchthat the separating device 10 continues to remain stable in place evenin the event of changes in pressure within the vehicle interior 101,e.g. even after the aircraft 100 has landed.

The vertical tubes 2 a are, for example, partially provided with kinks12 while the transversely running tubes 2 b are slightly curved in orderto follow an inner contour of the vehicle interior 101 as far aspossible. In the specific example embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 , thevertical tube 2 a situated towards the aisle is rectilinear, whereas thetwo opposite tubes 2 a lie against an outer wall of the aircraft 101and, for this purpose, are kinked and accordingly run slightly obliquelyalong the outer wall. The transversely running tubes 2 b are adaptedhere to the lower contour of a stowage or luggage compartment (notillustrated) situated above them. The supporting structure 10 therebyends at the top and bottom in principle in a precisely fitting mannerwith the inner contour of the vehicle interior 101, with the verticaltubes 2 a standing on the floor and the transversely running tubes 2 blying against the ceiling or the stowage compartment.

The separating region 10 furthermore comprises a covering 3 whichcomprises a plurality of flexible wall membranes 4 which connect theinflatable tubes 2 a, 2 b to one another in a planar manner and aredesigned to separate off the separating region 10 in the inflated statefrom the vehicle interior 101. For example, the wall membranes 4 can bemanufactured here from a transparent or semi-transparent,flame-retarding thermoplastic film. The tubes 2 a, 2 b of the supportingstructure 1 can be manufactured from the same material and, for example,welded to the wall membranes 4.

Overall, a separated-off cell is therefore formed, the supportingstructure of which is formed by the tubes 2 a, 2 b and the outer wallsof which are formed by the wall membranes 4. The separating region 10 iskept open upwards and downwards, with an air passage 9 located at thetop permitting fresh air 11 to enter from the ventilation system of theaircraft 100. On the window side of the vehicle interior 101 (on theright in FIG. 1 and on the left in FIG. 2 ), a slot-shaped air passage 9is furthermore provided in the vicinity of the floor, through whichfresh air 11 can flow out again from the separating region 10 (in thisregion, the covering 3 therefore does not end in a precisely fittingmanner with the floor).

The air supply can be regulated here in such a manner that a smallnegative pressure is effectively set within the separating region 10 bythe flow conditions such that, for example, viruses or other pathogenscannot escape from the separating region 10, even if the latter is notclosed off air-tightly from the vehicle interior 101.

Owing to the upwardly open arrangement, a passenger 103 in theseparating region 10 continues to have access to a passenger serviceunit (PSU), emergency oxygen masks, etc.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 , a reclosable passage opening 5 forentering and leaving the separating region 10 is furthermoreincorporated in one of the wall membranes 4, which passage opening canbe opened and closed via a zip fastener 6. In this way, in principle, anemergency exit from the separating region 10 could also be realized, forexample by use of a safety zip fastener system, such as, for example,the Quickburst system from the YKK Fastening Products Group, or acorresponding system.

So that the covering 3 can completely surround the two seats 102,furthermore a plurality of feedthroughs 7 for elements of the adjacentthird seat 102 are formed in the aisle-side wall membrane 4, for examplefor the passage of an arm rest and/or a seat frame. For this purpose,the wall membrane 4 can be slotted (not illustrated) from one or moresides towards the feedthroughs 7 so that the wall membrane 4 can beguided around the corresponding elements and optionally fastened in thisarrangement around them (e.g. via a touch and close fastener, pressstuds, etc.).

As has already been mentioned, the separating region 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3is supported only by three substantially vertically running tubes 2 a.In order to further stabilize this arrangement and in particular toensure that it is fixed in position in the vehicle interior 101, theseparating region 10 can furthermore comprise one or more fasteningelements 8. For example, it can be provided that the transverselyrunning tubes 2 b are fixed via such fastening elements 8 to a ceiling,a stowage compartment and/or a wall of the vehicle interior 101.

For this purpose, FIGS. 2 and 3 representatively depict by way ofexample an individual fastening element 8 which is designed as a suctioncup and is attached to the supporting structure 1 of the separatingregion 10 in a region under which a fourth vertical support would bearranged in terms of symmetry. In other words, the fastening element 8therefore compensates for the missing vertically running tube 2 a on theright in FIG. 2 or at the front centre in FIG. 3 . Fixing via one ormore suction cups (e.g. made from rubber or natural rubber) affords theparticular advantage that the separating region 10 can be retrofittedand can be installed virtually in any desired cabins without fasteningmeans and/or particular fastening points having to be present in thecabin.

As an alternative to the embodiment from FIGS. 1 to 3 , FIGS. 4 to 6show a variant of the disclosure herein which has four substantiallyvertically running tubes 2 a. In this example, the aisle-side tubes 2 aare also kinked, for example in order to comply with a different cabinshape or different geometrical requirements.

It is clear here to a person skilled in the art that completelydifferent geometrical conditions can be complied with by appropriatekinking and bending of the tubes 2 a, 2 b. Similarly, the shown numberand orientation of the tubes 2 a, 2 b should be understood as beingpurely by way of example.

As a result, an extremely lightweight (e.g. a few kilograms) andnevertheless particularly practical solution is created for an isolatedregion in a vehicle cabin, which solution can be folded up and can alsobe stowed in a greatly space-saving manner in this form (e.g. in acarrying pocket). All that is needed for the installation is a devicefor filling with air (e.g. an air pump) and optionally one or morefastening elements, for example suction cups or hooks. Even in a safetycritical aspect, the system affords numerous advantages because of thelow weight, the flexibility, the rapid accessibility in the event of anemergency, etc. In addition, unlike in conventional approaches, seats inthe immediate vicinity of the separating region 10 can also be occupiedwithout there being a relevant safety risk and/or infection risk to thepassengers sitting there. The seat occupancy in general can therefore beimproved.

In the preceding detailed description, various features for improvingthe stringency of the illustration have been combined in one or moreexamples. However, it should be clear here that the above description ismerely illustrative, and does not have a restrictive nature in any way.It serves to cover all the alternatives, modifications and equivalentsof the various features and example embodiments. Many other exampleswill be clear immediately and directly to a person skilled in the art onthe basis of his/her specialist knowledge in view of the abovedescription.

The example embodiments have been selected and described in order to beable to present the principles underlying the disclosure herein andtheir application possibilities in practice as well as possible. As aresult, specialist personnel can modify and use the disclosure hereinand its various example embodiments in an optimum way with respect tothe intended purpose of use.

While at least one example embodiment of the invention(s) is disclosedherein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions andalternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and canbe made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Thisdisclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of theexample embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms“comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, theterms “a”, “an” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term“or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps whichhave been described may also be used in combination with othercharacteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure orcontext suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates byreference the complete disclosure of any patent or application fromwhich it claims benefit or priority.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   1 Supporting structure    -   2 a, 2 b Tube    -   3 Covering    -   4 Wall membrane    -   5 Passage opening    -   6 Zip fastener    -   7 Feedthrough    -   8 Fastening element    -   9 Air passage    -   10 Inflatable separating region    -   11 Air circulation    -   12 Kink    -   13 Pressure control device    -   100 Aircraft    -   101 Vehicle interior    -   102 Seat    -   103 Passenger

1. An inflatable separating region for a vehicle interior or a passengercabin of an aircraft, comprising: a supporting structure comprising aplurality of interconnected inflatable tubes made of a flexible materialand arranged, in an inflated state, to form a self-supporting framestructure for the separating region; and a covering comprising aplurality of flexible wall membranes which connect the inflatable tubesto one another in a planar manner and are configured to separate off theseparating region in the inflated state from the vehicle interior orpassenger cabin of an aircraft.
 2. The inflatable separating regionaccording to claim 1, wherein the separating region in the inflatedstate is open upwards and/or downwards, wherein the supporting structureand the covering are configured to close off the separating regionupwards and/or downwards at least in regions in a precisely fittingmanner with the vehicle interior or passenger cabin of an aircraft. 3.The inflatable separating region according to claim 1, wherein at leastthree of the tubes are substantially vertically running struts, withfurther tubes serving as transverse connections of the struts.
 4. Theinflatable separating region according to claim 3, wherein threesubstantially vertically running tubes as outer edges of the separatingregion are connected at an upper end at three corners of a rectangleformed by four transversely running tubes.
 5. The inflatable separatingregion according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the tubes iskinked and/or curved for adaptation to an inner contour of the vehicleinterior.
 6. The inflatable separating region according to claim 1,wherein the tubes form a jointly inflatable volume.
 7. The inflatableseparating region according to claim 1, wherein the wall membranes aretransparent and/or translucent at least in regions.
 8. The inflatableseparating region according to claim 1, wherein the wall membranes eachhave a flame-retarding thermoplastic film.
 9. The inflatable separatingregion according to claim 1, wherein the wall membranes and the tubesare manufactured from a same flexible material.
 10. The inflatableseparating region according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the wallmembranes comprises a reclosable passage opening to allow people toenter and leave the separating region, wherein the passage opening isreclosable by a zip fastener.
 11. The inflatable separating regionaccording to claim 1, comprising a pressure control device to control aninternal pressure of the tubes.
 12. The inflatable separating regionaccording to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure and the coveringare configured, in the inflated state, to surround at least one seat ofthe vehicle interior.
 13. The inflatable separating region according toclaim 12, wherein at least one of the wall membranes comprisesfeedthroughs for elements of adjacent seat structures of the vehicleinterior.
 14. The inflatable separating region according to claim 1,comprising at least one fastening element for fixing a position of theseparating region in the vehicle interior.
 15. An aircraft comprising aninflatable separating region according to claim 1.